Zelensky asks German Scholz to visit Kyiv on May 9 in Russia

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said on Friday that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz should visit Kyiv on May 9th – the date of Russia’s highly symbolic Victory Day holiday – as a demonstration of solidarity with Ukraine.

Why it matters: Tensions between Ukraine and Europe’s most powerful country are beginning to ease after prolonged diplomatic opposition sparked by Zelensky’s refusal to receive German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Kyiv over his support in the past for rapprochement with Russia.

• Scholz refused to visit Kyiv after the war broke out, in part because of neglect. He has long been criticized by Ukraine for its cautious approach to providing military aid and weaning Germany off Russian energy.
• Zelensky invited Scholz and Steinmeier to Kyiv for a telephone conversation with the German chancellor on Thursday, the first time the two leaders had spoken in weeks.

The big picture: Germany is Europe’s largest provider of humanitarian and financial aid to Ukraine, but for years it has sought to maintain economic ties with Russia, even as Vladimir Putin intensified his aggression against Ukraine.

• Scholz put an end to decades of restrictive German arms export policies to provide military aid to Ukraine days after the Russian invasion began, but has since been criticized for acting too slowly at Ukraine’s request and working hard to avoid provoking Moscow.
• Again and again, however, Scholz reversed his position after enormous public pressure to do more in support of Ukraine.

Status: Germany announced on Friday that it would send seven howitzers to Ukraine after weeks of debate over whether providing artillery systems would be a step too far.

Between the lines: Russia’s Victory Day on Monday marks the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945.

• Some experts believe Putin will use the symbolic anniversary, which traditionally includes a military parade in Moscow, as an opportunity to officially declare war on Ukraine and mobilize Russian reservists.
• Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron are two of a declining number of European leaders who have not yet visited Kyiv. Scholz’s visit on Victory Day would be a profound show of solidarity in a conflict that has damaged Germany’s reputation in Ukraine.